Chapter 3 Ex-Wife Came Back?
Candice couldn't resist anymore and reached out to pinch Elijah's adorably chubby cheek. "Even with all your flattery, I'm still not going to be your mom!"
Elijah's face fell at her words. "But why? My daddy is super handsome, like really, really handsome! You two would look perfect together!"
He was doing his best to sell his own father!
Candice rolled her eyes. "There's no 'why' about it! I don't even know your dad, and besides, good looks don't pay the bills! Most importantly, I have no plans to get married, so you might as well give up now!"
Hearing this, Elijah's shoulders slumped in disappointment.
Although this was his first time meeting Candice, there was something about her that felt inexplicably familiar and warm. He'd never felt that with anyone else!
But Candice clearly wasn't interested.
Reluctantly, he accepted reality. "Fine!"
However, Elijah quickly changed tactics. "Then could you at least treat my daddy's illness? I just asked around, and everyone says you're the most skilled doctor here—a miracle worker who just finished a super difficult surgery!"
"My dad has had this chronic condition for ages. We've seen so many doctors, but none could help him. Please, could you at least do this for me?"
His expression was filled with such hope as he spoke.
Candice had no intention of wasting time on this.
She had come to Seaside City with plenty of work to complete. This surgery was only performed as a favor to someone who had requested her help.
But looking at Elijah's hopeful face, something in her heart softened, and she found herself unable to refuse.
"I suppose examining him wouldn't be impossible," Candice replied. "Is your father in this hospital? If he is, you can take me to him. If it's something I can treat, I'll do my best to help."
Elijah's eyes immediately lit up with excitement. "He's here! Daddy's in the Dean's office. I'll take you to meet him."
He quickly reached out his pudgy little hand to grasp Candice's, as if afraid she might run away.
Candice couldn't help but smile at his eagerness. She held his hand firmly and followed his lead.
Meanwhile, at the Dean's office...
Brandon had just finished his meeting with the hospital's Dean, Gray Baker.
He had come specifically to have Gray introduce him to Dr. Mandy, even donating a batch of medical equipment to the hospital free of charge for this purpose.
Gray was enthusiastically escorting him out of the office.
Once outside, Brandon immediately noticed his son was missing.
His piercing ice-blue eyes scanned the surroundings but found no trace of the boy. He frowned and asked, "Where's Elijah?"
His assistant, Knox Nelson, replied awkwardly, "He ran off! Somehow, word got out about your visit today. The entire hospital is buzzing with rumors that whoever can cure you will get to marry into wealth and become Elijah's stepmother. He said he wanted to find out who started these rumors!"
Upon hearing this, Brandon's sharp eyebrows furrowed deeply, his voice turning frigid. "My visit has become public knowledge?"
Knox quickly reassured him, "They don't know your specific identity—just that you're some Seaside City bigwig. Don't worry, I've already handled it! I'll speak with Gray again later to ensure absolute confidentiality."
Brandon gave a reluctant nod, though his expression remained displeased.
He continued, "Where is Elijah now?"
Knox looked even more uncomfortable. "That I don't know. Elijah refused to let anyone follow him, and when I tried using the tracking device, I discovered he'd already disabled it. He must have found it and hacked it again!"
Brandon remained silent for a few seconds before issuing an order. "Have the tech department develop a new one when we get back. If even Elijah can crack it, they're utterly useless."
"Right away, sir."
Knox promptly acknowledged the command while internally ranting, 'It's not that the tech department is useless—Elijah is just too brilliant!'
The kid had just turned five and already possessed impressive hacking skills!
How was anyone supposed to keep up with that?
Unaware of Knox's internal monologue, Brandon pulled out his phone to call Elijah.
At that moment, Elijah was just entering the elevator with Candice, heading to the floor where the Dean's office was located.
When the phone rang, he answered immediately.
"Daddy!"
Elijah's tone was exceptionally cheerful.
"Elijah, where did you run off to?"
Brandon's icy voice came through with crystal clarity.
The elevator was small, and Elijah's phone volume was high enough that Candice could hear every word.
She froze, almost thinking she'd misheard.
But that voice was unmistakable.
Was that Brandon, that cheating scumbag?
This couldn't possibly be such a coincidence, could it?
Elijah, oblivious to Candice's shock, replied, "I got bored waiting, so I went for a little walk. Dad, I've got great news! I met this super pretty lady who's a miracle doctor with amazing skills. I've already convinced her to come treat you!"
His voice bubbled with excitement as he shared the good news.
When Candice heard this, she felt like her scalp was about to explode from shock.
She never imagined that the little boy she'd met would be Brandon's son!
That jerk had a child this old already?
While she stood there stunned, Elijah had already told Brandon their location.
Brandon's cold voice replied, "Wait right there after you exit the elevator. Don't wander off. I'm coming to find you."
With that, he hung up.
After putting his phone away, Elijah turned to Candice and said, "My daddy's coming right now! You'll get to meet him soon!"
Candice's emotions were in complete turmoil.
Only now did she realize that Elijah's face was a miniature version of Brandon's.
How had she not noticed earlier?
And when she first met him, she'd heard people gossiping about "Seaside City's top elite family."
Why hadn't she immediately connected that to the Obelon family?
She wanted nothing to do with Brandon!
Candice's expression darkened.
The promise she'd just made would have to be broken.
With an apologetic look, she said, "I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to go back on my word. I just remembered I have an urgent matter to attend to, so I won't be able to examine your father after all."
By then, the elevator had reached their floor.
After leading Elijah out, she said, "I'm really sorry, but I have to go now!"
"What?"
Elijah froze, instinctively trying to stop her. "Wait!"
But Candice had already pressed the elevator button and made her escape.
She did feel guilty about Elijah.
After all, he had asked so sincerely.
But the man was Brandon.
She really didn't want any more entanglements.
Candice had come to Seaside City not only to perform this surgery but primarily for her company's pharmaceutical research project.
Her biological father's surname was Mortimer, and he was the head of the Mortimer family, Silverlight City's premier medical dynasty.
The Mortimer Group had started in pharmaceuticals, and their enterprises now encompassed medicinal herbs, medical equipment, hospitals, and drug development—all fields related to healthcare.
This time, a subsidiary company had a particularly challenging pharmaceutical project that required her participation.
Though she was revisiting familiar ground, the people from her past had long been cast into the river of time!
So Candice had no choice but to reluctantly refuse Elijah's request.